Functional neurological disorder or conversion disorder is a neurological condition in which your brain is unable to transfer and receive signals properly. There is a disconnect between the lobes and their functions which may lead to a lack of emotional processing. The disorder tampers with your everyday life. In a world where adversity looms large, people with this ailment face immense pressure and trouble.
Author of the book Catching Lameds: Reflections on an Unconventional Life, Theodore Rickles was diagnosed with conversion disorder that added to the various challenges life threw at him.
Let’s reflect on how functional neurological disorder tampers with an individual’s life and how they can cope with them.
The Silent Illness
Even with the manifold problems it creates, this neurological disorder is not known by many people. Doctors often call it “The Silent Illness” due to its ambiguous nature. What causes it? Not much has been concluded except that it can be triggered by emotional trauma. However, people suffering from it don’t recall having experienced any form of PTSD.
They can feel motor dysfunction, vision issues, seizures, difficulty speaking, and paralysis. Theodore’s diagnosis was fueled by mental and emotional stress. The condition proved a significant hurdle while writing his autobiography, where he experienced immense fatigue and a loss of mental focus. Yet he persevered and continued to finish his work. What’s worse is the ambiguity surrounding the symptoms and their triggers. You may suddenly experience involuntary movement with inconsistent patterns. Although the symptoms of this disorder are often triggered by emotional or mental stress, physical stress can also be a factor – they’re connected. The symptoms can be hard to act upon.
You may experience the following:
- Paralysis, particularly in the arm or leg
- Blurred vision
- Total or partial loss of hearing
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Flashbacks
- Slurred speech
- Chest pain
- Lack of coordination
FND may affect every part of your body and intensify or tone down according to how much attention you pay to it.
Theodore’s book expertly creates awareness for matters of friendship, love, and mental illness. The author leaves thought-provoking insights at the end.
He experienced early symptoms of the condition at the age of fifteen when he’d find himself unable to walk straight three to four times a year. Theodore didn’t pay attention to those symptoms, for they were often short-lived and would disappear overnight. It wasn’t until he got older and his condition worsened that he found himself in an incident on Earth Day. Theodore had to walk backward for almost two miles as an alternative for his instability – walking forward utilizes an entirely different set of motor-neuron pathways.
His mind had unplugged itself from the stress and fatigue of staying up all day.
Conversion disorder can make you and those around you feel isolated. The uncertainty surrounding the condition can leave you stressed, impacting your way of life.
Just as Theodore persevered with the condition, others like him can, too.
Ways to Cope
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Medical attention:
Once you have experienced the symptoms mentioned in the blog, you must seek professional help. Delaying will only worsen your condition.
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Meditation:
Meditation is an effective way to reduce stress and help with symptoms when suffering from conversion disorder. Spare five to ten minutes of your day to indulge in meditation and exercise focus muscles.
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Mental health check:
Prioritize your mental health and be mindful of over-exerting yourself with work. Take care of your diet and ensure a whole night’s sleep. Physiological factors, too, have a major role in determining your overall mental health.
Despite the severity of the condition, you can still find ways to live your life the best you can. For those suffering, it gets better with time. The key is to remain positive and focus on what you want to accomplish. Your struggle can be wisdom to others. Theodore Rickles’ story provides anecdotal insights and advice that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
Indulge yourself in Catching Lameds: Reflections on an Unconventional Life.
